Epg display apparatus, epg display method, medium, and program

ABSTRACT

In the case when EPG data of multiple channels is displayed on a display, if the data is attempted to be downsized uniformly and displayed, information of each displayed program is displayed smaller. Hence, such information becomes very difficult for humans to see.  
     The present invention provides an EPG display apparatus comprising second storage means  4  of storing three-dimensional EPG data obtained by mapping all or part of two-dimensional EPG data on the side face of a cylinder in a three-dimensional space, and control means  5  of displaying all or part of the three-dimensional EPG data stored in the second storage means  4  on a display  8  having a two-dimensional screen.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to an EPG display apparatus, an EPGdisplay method, a medium and a program used to display EPG data.

BACKGROUND TECHNOLOGY

[0002] Conventionally, TV program broadcast schedules have been known tothe audience by newspapers, magazines, etc; in recent years, as asubstitute of newspapers, magazines, etc., an EPG (electronic programguide) has been proposed and made practical. Such an EPG, transmittedfrom TV broadcast stations and the like, is data of TV program broadcastschedules similar to those described in newspapers, magazines, etc.,wherein a broadcast schedule date, a broadcast time, a channel, aprogram name, etc. are described for each program.

[0003] This kind of EPG is used when TV programs are scheduled to berecorded or watched; for example, when displayed on a TV CRT and thelike, the EPG is displayed so as to be seen flat by humans, just likethe descriptions in newspapers and the like.

[0004] When the number of TV channels increases, the amount of EPG dataalso increases; however, in the case when EPG data of multiple channelsis displayed on a display, if such data is attempted to be downsizeduniformly and displayed, the information area of each displayed programbecomes small. Hence, the EPG becomes very difficult for humans to see.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

[0005] Accordingly, in consideration of the problem of theabove-mentioned conventional example, the present invention is intendedto provide an EPG display apparatus, an EPG display method, a medium anda program capable of displaying EPG data easier to see in comparisonwith the conventional example, even when the number of channelsincreases.

[0006] A 1st invention of the present invention (corresponding toclaim 1) is an EPG display apparatus comprising:

[0007] storage means of storing three-dimensional EPG data obtained bymapping all or part of two-dimensional EPG data on a surface of anobject having a predetermined shape in a virtual three-dimensionalspace, and

[0008] control means of displaying all or part of said three-dimensionalEPG data stored in said storage means on a two-dimensional screen,wherein

[0009] the surface of said object includes a visually recognizable frontface and a rear face covered by said front face, and

[0010] when said EPG data is displayed by said control means by usingthe shape of said object, clearance regions are included beforehand insaid EPG data to be displayed at least at the position corresponding tosaid front face so that at least part of said EPG data to be displayedat a position corresponding to said rear face is visually recognizable.

[0011] A 2nd invention of the present invention (corresponding to claim2) is an EPG display apparatus in accordance with the 1st invention,wherein the shape of said object is a cylinder, a sphere or a polygonalprism.

[0012] A 3rd invention of the present invention (corresponding to claim3) is an EPG display apparatus in accordance with the 2nd invention,wherein said control means reverses said EPG data to be displayed at theposition corresponding to said rear face and then displays said EPGdata.

[0013] A 4th invention of the present invention (corresponding to claim4) is an EPG display apparatus in accordance with the 1st invention,wherein said clearance region is provided between adjacent channel dataof said two-dimensional EPG data.

[0014] A 5th invention of the present invention (corresponding to claim5) is an EPG display apparatus in accordance with any one of the 1st tothe 4th inventions, further comprising:

[0015] replacement display instruction accepting means of accepting aninstruction for replacing a display position of said EPG data to bedisplayed on the front face of said object with a display position ofsaid EPG data to be displayed on the rear face of said object anddisplaying said data, wherein

[0016] said control means replaces the display position of said EPG datato be displayed on the front face of said object with the displayposition of said EPG data to be displayed on the rear face of saidobject and displays said data on the basis of said instruction acceptedby said replacement display instruction accepting means.

[0017] A 6th invention of the present invention (corresponding to claim6) is an EPG display apparatus in accordance with any one of the 1st tothe 5th inventions, further comprising:

[0018] specific channel registration means of accepting registration fordisplaying the EPG data of only specific channels, and

[0019] specific channel display instruction accepting means of acceptingan instruction for displaying the EPG data of only said specificchannels registered in said specific channel registration means, wherein

[0020] the EPG data of only said specific channels corresponds to partof said two-dimensional EPG data.

[0021] A 7th invention of the present invention (corresponding to claim7) is an EPG display apparatus in accordance with the 6th invention,wherein all of said two-dimensional EPG data and part of saidtwo-dimensional EPG data are displayed on the same screen.

[0022] An 8th invention of the present invention (corresponding to claim8) is an EPG display apparatus in accordance with any one of the 1st tothe 7th inventions, further comprising:

[0023] acquisition means of acquiring information on recorded programs,information on programs scheduled to be recorded or information onprograms scheduled to be watched, wherein

[0024] said control means displays only the EPG data of programsregarding said information acquired by said acquisition means.

[0025] A 9th invention of the present invention (corresponding to claim9) is an EPG display method comprising:

[0026] a storage step of storing three-dimensional EPG data obtained bymapping all or part of two-dimensional EPG data on a surface of anobject having a predetermined shape in a virtual three-dimensionalspace, and

[0027] a control step of displaying all or part of saidthree-dimensional EPG data stored at said storage step on atwo-dimensional screen, wherein

[0028] the surface of said object includes a visually recognizable frontface and a rear face covered by said front face, and

[0029] when said EPG data is displayed at said control step by using theshape of said object, clearance regions are included beforehand in saidEPG data to be displayed at least at the position corresponding to saidfront face so that at least part of said EPG data to be displayed at aposition corresponding to said rear face is visually recognizable.

[0030] A 10th invention of the present invention (corresponding to claim10) is a program of causing a computer to function all or part of saidstorage means and said control means of said EPG display apparatus inaccordance with any one of the 1st to the 8th inventions.

[0031] An 11th invention of the present invention (corresponding toclaim 11) is a program of causing a computer to carry out all or part ofsaid storage step and said control step of said EPG display method inaccordance with the 9th invention

[0032] A 12th invention of the present invention (corresponding to claim12) is a medium holding said program in accordance with the 10thinvention and being processable by a computer.

[0033] A 13th invention of the present invention (corresponding to claim13) is a medium holding said program in accordance with the 11thinvention and being processable by a computer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0034]FIG. 1 is a view showing the configuration of an EPG displayapparatus in accordance with Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

[0035]FIG. 2 is a view showing the configuration of two-dimensional EPGdata;

[0036]FIG. 3 is an explanatory view showing operation carried out by themapping means 3 of the EPG display apparatus 1 in accordance withEmbodiment 1 of the present invention;

[0037]FIG. 4 is a first explanatory view explaining a method ofdisplaying three-dimensional EPG data on a two-dimensional screen inaccordance with Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

[0038]FIG. 5 is a second explanatory view explaining a method ofdisplaying three-dimensional EPG data on a two-dimensional screen inaccordance with Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

[0039]FIG. 6 is a view showing an example of EPG data displayed on adisplay 8 in accordance with Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

[0040]FIG. 7 is a view showing the front face 11 and the rear face 12 ofa cylinder 9 in accordance with Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

[0041]FIG. 8 (a) is a view explaining a display method (no reversing)when three-dimensional EPG data stuck to the rear face 12 of thecylinder 9 is displayed on a two-dimensional screen without beingreversed in accordance with Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

[0042]FIG. 8 (b) is a view explaining a display method whenthree-dimensional EPG data stuck to the rear face 12 of the cylinder 9is reversed and displayed on a two-dimensional screen in accordance withEmbodiment 1 of the present invention;

[0043]FIG. 9 is a view explaining the change of the display form of theEPG data displayed on the display 8 in accordance with Embodiment 1 ofthe present invention;

[0044]FIG. 10 is a view showing an example of EPG data displayed on thedisplay 8 in accordance with Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

[0045]FIG. 11 is a view showing an example of EPG data displayed on thedisplay 8 in accordance with Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

[0046]FIG. 12 is a view showing an example of EPG data displayed on thedisplay 8 in accordance with Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

[0047]FIG. 13 (a) is an explanatory view in the case whentwo-dimensional EPG data is mapped on each side face of a polygonalprism in accordance with Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

[0048]FIG. 13 (b) is an explanatory view in the case whentwo-dimensional EPG data is mapped on each side face of a polygonalprism in accordance with Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

[0049]FIG. 14 is an explanatory view in the case when two-dimensionalEPG data is mapped on the surface of a sphere in accordance withEmbodiment 1 of the present invention;

[0050]FIG. 15 is a view showing an example when a plurality of EPG dataare displayed on the display 8 in accordance with Embodiment 1 of thepresent invention;

[0051]FIG. 16 is a view showing the configuration of an EPG displayapparatus in accordance with Embodiment 2 of the present invention;

[0052]FIG. 17 is a view showing an example of EPG data displayed on thedisplay 8 in accordance with Embodiment 2 of the present invention;

[0053]FIG. 18 is a view showing an example of EPG data displayed on thedisplay 8 in accordance with Embodiment 2 of the present invention;

[0054]FIG. 19 is a view showing the configuration of an EPG displayapparatus in accordance with Embodiment 3 of the present invention; and

[0055]FIG. 20 is a view showing an example of EPG data displayed on thedisplay 8 in accordance with Embodiment 3 of the present invention.

Explanation of Reference Codes

[0056] 1 EPG display apparatus 2 first storage means 3 mapping means 4second storage means 5 control means 6 display accepting means 7 displaymode change accepting means 8 display 9 cylinder 10 virtual screen 11front face 12 rear face

THE BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0057] Embodiments of the present invention will be described belowreferring to the drawings.

Embodiment 1

[0058] First, the configuration of an EPG display apparatus inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention will be describedby using FIG. 1.

[0059]FIG. 1 shows the configuration of an EPG display apparaus 1 inaccordance with Embodiment 1. As shown in FIG. 1, the EPG displayapparatus 1 in accordance with Embodiment 1 comprises a first storagemeans 2, a mapping means 3, a second storage means 4, a control means 5,a display accepting means 6 and a display mode change accepting means 7.FIG. 1 also shows a display 8.

[0060] The first storage means 2 is means of storing two-dimensional EPGdata. FIG. 2 shows two-dimensional EPG data. As shown in FIG. 2,two-dimensional EPG data in accordance with Embodiment 1 is data whereinEPGs (electronic program guides) of a plurality of channels are arrangedtwo-dimensionally, just as the TV program columns in newspapers.

[0061] For convenience in explanation, it is assumed that EPG data of200 channels is handled in Embodiment 1.

[0062] In addition, it is also assumed that a clearance region isprovided between the adjacent channel data of the two-dimensional EPGdata as shown in FIG. 2.

[0063] The mapping means 3 is means of virtually mapping thetwo-dimensional EPG data stored in the first storage means 2 on the sideface of a cylinder in a virtual three-dimensional space. “Mapping thetwo-dimensional EPG data on the side face of a cylinder in a virtualthree-dimensional space” means that pieces of data constituting thetwo-dimensional EPG data, that is, A1, A2, . . . , F5 and F6, are stuckto the side face of the cylinder in a virtual three-dimensional space.

[0064] The second storage means 4 is means of storing thethree-dimensional EPG data processed by the mapping means 3. The controlmeans 5 is means of displaying the three-dimensional EPG data stored inthe second storage means 4 on the display 8 having a two-dimensionalscreen.

[0065] In addition, the display accepting means 6 is means of acceptingan instruction for displaying EPG data on the display 8 from the user ofthe EPG display apparatus 1. The display mode change accepting means 7is means of accepting an instruction for changing the display mode ofthe EPG data displayed on the display 8 from the user.

[0066] In Embodiment 1, the second storage means 4 of the EPG displayapparatus of the present invention is used as an example of storagemeans, and the control means 5 thereof is used as an example of controlmeans.

[0067] Next, an embodiment of an EPG display method of the presentinvention will be described while explaining the operation of the EPGdisplay apparatus 1 in accordance with Embodiment 1 at the same time.

[0068] First, the mapping means 3 maps the two-dimensional EPG datastored in the first storage means 2 and shown in FIG. 2 on the side faceof a cylinder 9 in a three-dimensional space as shown in FIG. 3.

[0069]FIG. 3 shows three-dimensional EPG data obtained after the EPGdata is mapped on the side face of the cylinder 9.

[0070] For simplicity in explanation, it is assumed in accordance withEmbodiment 1 that the thickness of the outer circumferential wall of thecylinder 9 is zero and that the cylinder 9 is a colorless transparentvirtual object.

[0071] For convenience in explanation, it is assumed that the z-axis ofthe x-y-z three-dimensional space coincides with the axis of thecylinder 9 and that the bottom face of the cylinder 9 is in the x-yplane.

[0072] Furthermore, the EPG data of a first channel is stuck to the sideface of the cylinder 9 in the z-axis direction when y is zero and x ispositive. Moreover, the EPG data of a second channel and the EPG data ofa 200th channel, both disposed adjacent to the two-dimensional EPG dataof the first channel shown in FIG. 2, are stuck to the positions on bothadjacent sides of the EPG data of the first channel.

[0073] As described above, the mapping means 3 arranges thetwo-dimensional EPG data of each channel shown in FIG. 2 in the order oftime in the z-axis direction and sticks the EPG data of all the 200channels in the order of channel number around the circumference of theside face of the cylinder 9. The second storage means 4 then stores themapped three-dimensional EPG data.

[0074] When the display accepting means 6 accepts an instruction fordisplaying EPG data on the display 8 from the user, the control means 5displays the three-dimensional EPG data stored in the second storagemeans 4 on the display 8 having a two-dimensional screen in accordancewith the instruction. Next, the display will be described while takingconcrete examples.

[0075] For example, as shown in FIG. 4, a point β, positioned on astraight line L1 that includes a point α disposed on the x-axis in thex-y-z space away from the origin ◯ by a distance 2r, that is, the doubleof the radius r of the bottom face of the cylinder 9, and that isparallel with the z-axis, is considered. Herein, the point positioned ata place wherein a straight line L2 connecting the point ◯′ at x=0 andy=0 on the upper face of the cylinder 9 to the point β and the z-axisform an angle of 75 degrees is assumed to be the point β.

[0076] Next, a state is considered wherein the EPG data stuck to theside face of the cylinder 9 is seen when the center C of the cylinder 9is viewed from the point β.

[0077] When the center C of the cylinder 9 is viewed from the point β,the EPG data stuck to the side face of the cylinder 9 is seen as if eachpoint of the cylinder 9 is projected on a virtual screen 10 that isparallel with the y-z plane of FIG. 5, on the side of the point β.

[0078] On the display 8 having a two-dimensional screen, the controlmeans 5 displays each point of the cylinder 9 projected on the virtualscreen 10. Hence, the three-dimensional EPG data is displayed as if thedata is stuck to the outer circumferential side face of the cylinder,without providing any sense of strangeness for humans.

[0079]FIG. 6 shows an example of EPG data that is displayed on thedisplay 8. As described later, FIG. 6 shows an example wherein thedisplay method shown in FIG. 8 (b) is applied.

[0080] As shown in FIG. 7, the cylinder 9 has a front face 11 that isvisually recognizable (in other words, the outer circumferential sideface on the front side as viewed from the user) and a rear face 12 (inother words, the outer circumferential side face on the rear side asviewed from the user) covered with the front face 11.

[0081] As described above, the outer circumferential side face of thecylinder 9 is transparent. Hence, the display contents on the outercircumferential side face of the rear face 12 not covered with the frontface 11 can be recognized visually via the transparent wall even fromthe inner circumferential side face 100 of the cylinder 9.

[0082] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, a clearanceregion not displaying anything is provided between the adjacent channeldata of two-dimensional EPG data. Hence, as shown in FIG. 6, even theEPG data stuck to the rear face 12 of the cylinder 9 is displayed on thedisplay 8 so that part thereof can be seen through the clearance region.

[0083] However, when the EPG data stuck to the rear face 12 of thecylinder 9 is displayed on the two-dimensional screen of the display 8,if the EPG data is unchanged from the state of data stuck to the outercircumferential side face 12 of the cylinder 9 without properlyreversing the display as described later, the data becomes difficult forhumans to see.

[0084] For example, when the EPG data of a 131th channel is stuck to therear face 12 of the cylinder 9, the user sees the EPG data from theinner circumferential face side of the cylinder 9. Hence, sincecharacters are seen in reverse as shown in FIG. 8 (a), they becomedifficult to see. In FIG. 8 (a), for convenience in explanation, theexistence of the EPG data stuck to the front face 11 is ignored.

[0085] Hence, the control means 5 reverses the EPG data stuck to therear face 12 of the cylinder 9 and displays the data on the display 8.For example, the EPG data of the 131th channel is not seen as shown inFIG. 8 (a) but eventually seen normally (see FIG. 8 (b)) when viewedfrom the user.

[0086] Thus, when the EPG data stuck to the rear face 12 of the cylinder9 is displayed on the display 8, only part of the data may be able to beseen; however, the part of the data that can be seen does not provideany sense of strangeness for humans.

[0087] The control means 5 has data holding means (not shown) oftemporarily holding the above-mentioned reversed EPG data.

[0088] However, as shown in FIG. 6, when the center C of the cylinder 9is viewed from the point β of FIG. 4, the EPG data of approximately halfof the 200 channels, stuck to the side face of the cylinder 9, isdisplayed completely; however, the remaining half is not displayedcompletely but partially hidden. In other words, in the example of FIG.6, the EPG data from part of the 51th channel shown at the right corneras viewed from the user to part of the 151th channel is not displayedcompletely.

[0089] Hence, it is assumed that the user desires to display thethree-dimensional EPG data stored in the second storage means 4 on thedisplay 8, with the EPG data of the 51th channel placed at the center.In addition, it is assumed that the user inputs an instruction fordisplaying EPG data on the display 8, with the EPG data of the 51thchannel placed at the center, in the display mode change accepting means7.

[0090] The control means 5 then displays the three-dimensional EPG datastored in the second storage means 4 on the display 8 having atwo-dimensional screen so that the EPG data of the 51th channel isdisplayed at the center of the display 8.

[0091] The display method will be described by using FIG. 9. In FIG. 9,it is assumed that the plane being parallel with the x-y plane andincluding the point β shown in FIG. 4 is a plane P and that theintersection of the plane P and the z-axis is a point ◯″. As a result,the distance between the point ◯″ and the point β becomes 2r.

[0092] Next, it is assumed that the point placed on the plane P andhaving the distance 2r from the point ◯″, wherein all the EPG data ofthe 51th channel stuck to the side face of the cylinder 9 can be seen,is a point γ. Herein, as shown in FIG. 9, the point γ is defined so thatthe angle formed by a line segment ◯″ γ and a line segment ◯″ β becomes90 degrees.

[0093] Then, just as the state wherein the EPG data stuck to the sideface of the cylinder 9 can be seen when the center C of the cylinder 9is viewed from the point β is considered by using FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, astate wherein the EPG data stuck to the side face of the cylinder 9 canbe seen when the point of view is shifted from the point β to the pointγ and when the center C of the cylinder 9 is viewed from the point γ isconsidered. The control means 5 displays the state on the display 9. Asa result, the EPG data is displayed on the display 8 as shown in FIG.10.

[0094] Next, it is assumed that the user desires to display thethree-dimensional EPG data stored in the second storage means 4 on thedisplay 8, with the EPG data of the 101th channel placed at the center.

[0095] In other words, it is assumed that the user desires to displaythe three-dimensional EPG data on the display 8 by replacing the EPGdata stuck to the front face 11 of the cylinder 9 shown in FIG. 7 withthe EPG data stuck to the rear face 12 thereof. At this time, it isassumed that the user inputs an instruction for displaying EPG data onthe display 8, with the EPG data of the 101th channel placed at thecenter, in the display mode change accepting means 7.

[0096] Hence, the control means 5 carries out display control so thatthe state where the EPG data stuck to the side face of the cylinder 9can be seen when the center C of the cylinder 9 is viewed from the pointδ of FIG. 9 is displayed on the display 8. By this control, the EPG datais displayed on the display 8 as shown in FIG. 11.

[0097] The point δ is a point on the plane P, positioned on acircumference having the line segment ◯″β (or the line segment ◯″γ) as aradius, wherein the angle formed between the line segment ◯″δ and theline segment ◯″β becomes 180 degrees.

[0098] Furthermore, in this case, the display mode change acceptingmeans 7 corresponds to an example of the replacement display instructionaccepting means of the EPG display apparatus of the present invention.

[0099] In the above-mentioned Embodiment 1, an example was described inwhich the state wherein the EPG data stuck to the side face of thecylinder 9 was seen when the center C of the cylinder 9 was viewed froma point outside the cylinder 9 on the positive side of the z-axis of thex-y-z space as shown in FIG. 4, FIG. 5 and FIG. 9 was displayed on thedisplay 8. However, without being limited to this, a state obtained whenthe center C of the cylinder 9 is viewed from a point outside thecylinder 9 on the negative side of the z-axis of the x-y-z space may bedisplayed on the display 8. In this case, EPG data is displayed on thedisplay 8 as shown in FIG. 12, for example.

[0100] In addition, in the above-mentioned Embodiment 1, for conveniencein explanation, it was explained that the mapping means 3 mapped thetwo-dimensional EPG data stored in the first storage means 2 and shownin FIG. 2 on the side face of the cylinder 9 as shown in FIG. 3.However, without being limited by this, the mapping means 3 may map theEPG data on the side face of a polygonal prism.

[0101] The EPG data of each channel may be mapped on each side face of aprism having a base face of a regular polygon having 200 angles, forexample.

[0102]FIG. 13 (a) shows a state wherein EPG data of six channels ismapped on the side faces of a prism having a base face of a regularhexagon as an example of the state wherein EPG data is mapped on theside face of a polygon. In this case, the second storage means 4 storesthree-dimensional EPG data having a state wherein EPG data is mapped oneach side face of the prism; by the control of the control means 5, theEPG data is displayed on the display 8 as shown in FIG. 13 (b) as if theEPG data is stuck to each side face of the prism, without providing anysense of strangeness for humans.

[0103] Furthermore, in the above-mentioned Embodiment 1, it wasexplained that the mapping means 3 mapped the two-dimensional EPG dataon the side face of the cylinder 9 as shown in FIG. 3; however, themapping means 3 may map the two-dimensional EPG data on the surface of asphere as shown in FIG. 4.

[0104] In this case, the second storage means 4 stores three-dimensionalEPG data having a state wherein the two-dimensional EPG data is mappedon the surface of the sphere; by the control of the control means 5, theEPG data is displayed on the display 8 as if the EPG data is stuck tothe surface of the sphere, without providing any sense of strangenessfor humans.

[0105] Moreover, in the above-mentioned Embodiment 1, it was explainedthat the display accepting means 6 accepts an instruction for displayingEPG data on the display 8 from the user; however, by preparing a remotecontrol unit that can remote-control the EPG display apparatus 1 fromoutside, the user may input the above-mentioned instruction to thedisplay accepting means 6 by using the remote control unit.

[0106] In a similar way, in the above-mentioned Embodiment 1, when theuser desires to display the three-dimensional EPG data stored in thesecond storage means 4 on the display 8 with the EPG data of the 51thchannel placed at the center for example, the user may input the desireto the display mode change accepting means 7 by using theabove-mentioned remote control unit.

[0107] In addition, in the above-mentioned Embodiment 1, as explained byusing FIG. 8, it was explained that the control means 5 reversed the EPGdata stuck to the rear face 12 of the cylinder 9 and displayed the dataon the display 8. However, without being limited by this, it may bepossible that the EPG data stuck to the rear face 12 of the cylinder 9is reversed and stored in the second storage means 4 and that thecontrol means 5 displays the EPG data stored in the second storage means4 as shown in FIG. 8 (b), for example.

[0108] Furthermore, in the above-mentioned Embodiment 1, it wasexplained that when the second storage means 4 stored one piece of theEPG data mapped on the side face of the cylinder 9 and the predeterminedinstruction was input to the display mode change accepting means 7, thecontrol means 5 calculated the state of the EPG data that was able to beseen when the line of sight was placed at each of the point β, the pointγ and the point δ, as explained by using FIG. 9, and displayed the stateas the EPG.

[0109] However, it may be possible that when the line of sight wasplaced at each of the point β, the point γ and the point δ the secondstorage means 4 stores the state of the EPG data that can be seen fromeach point in correspondence with each point, and the control means 5selects data corresponding to an instruction input to the display modechange accepting means 7 from among the data stored in the secondstorage means 4 and displays the data on the display 8.

[0110] Still further, in the above-mentioned Embodiment 1, forconvenience in explanation, EPG data of 200 channels was handled;however, for example, when handling a plurality of groups of EPG datawherein EPG data of 200 channels is taken as one group, the plurality ofgroups of EPG data may be displayed so that objects to which the groupsof the EPG data are stuck are overlaid. For example, when handling afirst group of EPG data of the first channel to 200th channel, a secondgroup of EPG data of the 201th channel to 400th channel and a thirdgroup of EPG data of the 401th channel to 600th channel, the data may bedisplayed so that three cylinders are overlaid as shown in FIG. 15.

Embodiment 2

[0111] Next, the configuration of an EPG display apparatus in accordancewith Embodiment 2 will be described together with its operation. FIG. 16shows the configuration of an EPG display apparatus 21 in accordancewith Embodiment 2. As shown in FIG. 16, the EPG display apparatus 21 inaccordance with Embodiment 2 is obtained by adding a specific channelregistration means 23 of accepting registration for displaying the EPGdata of a specific channel and a specific channel display instructionaccepting means 24 of accepting an instruction for displaying the EPGdata of the specific channel registered in the specific channelregistration means 23 to the respective means of the EPG displayapparatus 1 in accordance with Embodiment 1.

[0112] In addition, a remote control unit 25 capable ofremote-controlling the EPG display apparatus 21 from outside is alsoshown. Furthermore, different from the control means 5 in accordancewith Embodiment 1, a control means 22 in accordance with Embodiment 2displays EPG data on the basis of an instruction accepted by thespecific channel display instruction accepting means 24.

[0113] As described above, since the EPG display apparatus 21 inaccordance with Embodiment 2 and the EPG display apparatus 1 inaccordance with Embodiment 1 are mostly common to each other, only thesections different from those of Embodiment 1 will be described in theexplanation of Embodiment 2.

[0114] When the user desires to display the EPG data of a specificchannel, the user registers the specific channel in the specific channelregistration means 23 by using the remote control unit 25.

[0115] For convenience in explanation, it is herein assumed that theuser desires to display the EPG data of ten channels, that is, the firstchannel, second channel, fifth channel, 20th channel, 35th channel, 87thchannel, 105th channel, 133th channel, 160th channel and 199th channel.The user then registers the ten channels in the specific channelregistration means 23 by using the remote control unit 25.

[0116] A case wherein the 35th channel is registered for example isexplained; the user presses the “registration” button of the remotecontrol unit 25, then presses the “3” and “5” buttons in this sequence,and presses the “determination” button in the end, whereby the 35thchannel is registered.

[0117] Next, when the user actually displays the EPG data of theregistered channel, the user inputs an instruction for the purpose inthe specific channel display instruction accepting means 24 by using theremote control unit 25.

[0118] For example, when the “specific channel” button of the remotecontrol unit 25 is pressed, it may be possible that an instruction foractually displaying the EPG data of a registered channel is accepted bythe specific channel display instruction accepting means 24.

[0119] The control means 22 thus displays the EPG data of the specificchannel together with the EPG data of all channels as shown in FIG. 17on the display 8 on the basis of the instruction accepted by thespecific channel display instruction accepting means 24.

[0120] As the EPG data of 200 channels shown in FIG. 6 is displayed onthe display 8, the EPG data of the specific channel is also displayed asif the data is stuck to the side face of the cylinder, without providingany sense of strangeness for humans.

[0121] In the above-mentioned Embodiment 2, it was explained that theEPG data of the specific channel was displayed above the EPG data of allchannels as shown in FIG. 17; however, the control means 22 may displaythe EPG data of all channels and the EPG data of the specific channelside by side as shown in FIG. 18.

[0122] Furthermore, the control means 22 may display only the EPG dataof the specific channel. In this case, it may be possible that thesecond storage means 4 stores the EPG data of all channels and that thecontrol means 22 selects only the EPG data of the specific channel todisplay only the selected EPG data; or it may be possible that thesecond storage means 4 stores only the EPG data of the specific channeland that the control means 22 displays the stored EPG data.

Embodiment 3

[0123] Next, the configuration of an EPG display apparatus in accordancewith Embodiment 3 will be described together with its operation. FIG. 19shows the configuration of an EPG display apparatus 31 in accordancewith Embodiment 3.

[0124] As shown in FIG. 19, the EPG display apparatus 31 in accordancewith Embodiment 3 is obtained by adding an acquisition means 33 ofacquiring information on programs scheduled to be recorded or watched tothe respective means of the EPG display apparatus 1 in accordance withEmbodiment 1.

[0125] Moreover, unlike the control means 5 in accordance withEmbodiment 1, the control means 32 in accordance with Embodiment 3 isused to display only the EPG data of programs regarding informationacquired by the acquisition means 33. In other words, the control means32 is used to display only the EPG data of programs scheduled to berecorded or watched.

[0126] Since the EPG display apparatus 31 in accordance with Embodiment3 and the EPG display apparatus 1 in accordance with Embodiment 1 aremostly common to each other, only the sections different from those ofEmbodiment 1 will be described in the explanation of Embodiment 3.

[0127] In Embodiment 3, for convenience in explanation, it is assumedthat programs scheduled to be recorded or watched are “A4,” “B1,” “C4”and “F2” of FIG. 2. In this situation, when the display accepting means6 accepts an instruction for displaying EPG data on the display 8 fromthe user, the control means 32 displays only the EPG data of theabove-mentioned programs “A4,” “B1,” “C4” and “F2” as shown in FIG. 20,instead of displaying all the EPG data.

[0128] In this case, it may be possible that the second storage means 4stores all the EPG data of all channels and that the control means 32selects the EPG data of only the programs scheduled to be recorded orwatched to display only the selected EPG data; or it may be possiblethat the second storage means 4 stores the EPG data of only the programsscheduled to be recorded or watched and that the control means 32 maydisplay the stored EPG data.

[0129] When the second storage means 4 stores the EPG data of only theprograms scheduled to be recorded or watched, it is assumed that thesecond storage means 4 stores information on positions at which the EPGdata of the programs scheduled to be recorded or watched is stuck to theside face of the cylinder 9.

[0130] In addition, in the above-mentioned Embodiment 3, only theprograms scheduled to be recorded or watched were referred to forconvenience in explanation; however, EPG data of recorded programs mayalso be displayed, just like the above-mentioned programs scheduled tobe recorded or watched.

[0131] Furthermore, the present invention is a program that carries outthe functions of all or part of the means (or apparatuses, devices,circuits, portions, etc.) of the above-mentioned EPG display apparatusof the present invention by using a computer and operates in cooperationwith the computer.

[0132] Still further, the present invention is a program that carriesout the operations of all or part of the steps (or processes,operations, actions, etc.) of the above-mentioned EPG display method ofthe present invention by using a computer and operates in cooperationwith the computer.

[0133] Still further, the present invention is a medium that holds aprogram for carrying out all or part of the functions of all or part ofthe means of the above-mentioned EPG display apparatus of the presentinvention, and the medium that can be read by a computer, wherein theabove-mentioned program having been read carries out the above-mentionedfunctions in cooperation with the computer.

[0134] Still further, the present invention is a medium that holds aprogram for carrying out all or part of the operations of all or part ofthe steps of the above-mentioned EPG display method of the presentinvention, the medium can be read by a computer, and the above-mentionedprogram having been read carries out the above-mentioned operations incooperation with the computer.

[0135] Part of the means (or apparatuses, devices, circuits, portions,etc.) of the present invention and part of the steps (or processes,operations, actions, etc.) of the present invention designate some meansor steps in the plural means or steps, or part of functions or part ofactions in one means or step.

[0136] Furthermore, a utilization form of the program of the presentinvention may be an embodiment that is recorded on a recording mediumreadable by a computer and operates in cooperation with the computer.

[0137] Still further, a utilization form of the program of the presentinvention may be an embodiment that is transmitted through atransmission medium and read by a computer and operates in cooperationwith the computer.

[0138] Still further, the data structure of the present inventionincludes a database, a data format, a data table, a data list, a datatype, etc.

[0139] Still further, the recording medium includes ROM, etc., and thetransmission medium includes a transmission medium, such as theInternet, light, electric wave, sound wave, etc.

[0140] Still further, the above-mentioned computer of the presentinvention is not limited to pure hardware, such as a CPU, but mayinclude firmware, an OS and peripheral devices.

[0141] Still further, as described above, the configuration of thepresent invention may be attained by software or by hardware.

[0142] In the above-mentioned embodiments, the case wherein clearanceregions were included without fail in the two-dimensional EPG data wasexplained; however, without being limited to this, the above-mentionedclearance regions are not always necessary only if the reversingdescribed by using FIG. 8 (a) and FIG. 8 (b) is carried out. Even inthis case, as shown in FIG. 7, there brings an effect wherein the EPGdata displayed on the outer circumferential face 12 on the rear side canbe seen from the inner circumferential face side 100 of the transparentcylinder 9 without providing any sense of strangeness is delivered.Furthermore, the above-mentioned cylinder should only be substantiallytransparent and is not required to be completely transparent, providedthat the EPG data can be visually recognized.

[0143] Still further, in the above-mentioned embodiments, the casewherein the EPG data was virtually stuck to the outer circumferentialwall face of an object in a three-dimensional space was explained;however, without being limited to this, it is possible to have aconfiguration for carrying out display on the inner circumferential wallface when the display is carried out on the rear side of theabove-mentioned object. In this case, the wall face on the rear side ofthe above-mentioned object is not required to be transparent.

[0144] Still further, in the above-mentioned case, when the thickness ofthe outer circumferential wall face in the three-dimensional space isnot zero, the displayable area in the case when display is carried outon the outer circumferential wall face differs from that in the casewhen display is carried out on the inner circumferential wall face.Generally, in the case when display is carried out on the innercircumferential wall face, the area becomes smaller; hence, it isnecessary to downsize the contour shape of the mapped data so as to bealigned with the shape of the display region thereof.

[0145] Still further, in the above-mentioned embodiments, in the EPGdata of the specific channels positioned on both the right and left endsviewed from the user, part of the display data of the same channel isdisposed on the front side and the rest is disposed on the rear side insome cases; this is shown in FIG. 6 and the like. Hence, theabove-mentioned reversing has been carried out so that even the displaydata on the rear side can be seen from the user without providing anysense of strangeness. However, without being limited to this, aconfiguration not subjected to the above-mentioned reversing may be usedeven in this case, for example. In this case, part of the display of theEPG data of each of specific channels disposed on both ends is seen in astate viewed from the rear side; however, this display is easier to seein comparison with the conventional example as a whole, even in the caseof multiple channels.

[0146] With the above-mentioned configuration, it is possible to displayEPG data so that EPG data of multiple channels can be seen by humans ina natural state.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

[0147] As clearly described above, the present invention has anadvantage in display where EPG data can be easier to see in comparisonwith the conventional example, even when the number of channelsincreases.

1. An EPG display apparatus comprising: storage means of storingthree-dimensional EPG data obtained by mapping all or part oftwo-dimensional EPG data on a surface of an object having apredetermined shape in a virtual three-dimensional space, and controlmeans of displaying all or part of said three-dimensional EPG datastored in said storage means on a two-dimensional screen, wherein thesurface of said object includes a visually recognizable front face and arear face covered by said front face, and when said EPG data isdisplayed by said control means by using the shape of said object,clearance regions are included beforehand in said EPG data to bedisplayed at least at the position corresponding to said front face sothat at least part of said EPG data to be displayed at a positioncorresponding to said rear face is visually recognizable.
 2. An EPGdisplay apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein the shape of saidobject is a cylinder, a sphere or a polygonal prism.
 3. An EPG displayapparatus in accordance with claim 2, wherein said control meansreverses said EPG data to be displayed at the position corresponding tosaid rear face and then displays said EPG data.
 4. An EPG displayapparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein said clearance region isprovided between adjacent channel data of said two-dimensional EPG data.5. An EPG display apparatus in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 4,further comprising: replacement display instruction accepting means ofaccepting an instruction for replacing a display position of said EPGdata to be displayed on the front face of said object with a displayposition of said EPG data to be displayed on the rear face of saidobject and displaying said data, wherein said control means replaces thedisplay position of said EPG data to be displayed on the front face ofsaid object with the display position of said EPG data to be displayedon the rear face of said object and displays said data on the basis ofsaid instruction accepted by said replacement display instructionaccepting means.
 6. An EPG display apparatus in accordance with any oneof claims 1 to 5, further comprising: specific channel registrationmeans of accepting registration for displaying the EPG data of onlyspecific channels, and specific channel display instruction acceptingmeans of accepting an instruction for displaying the EPG data of onlysaid specific channels registered in said specific channel registrationmeans, wherein the EPG data of only said specific channels correspondsto part of said two-dimensional EPG data.
 7. An EPG display apparatus inaccordance with claim 6, wherein all of said two-dimensional EPG dataand part of said two-dimensional EPG data are displayed on the samescreen.
 8. An EPG display apparatus in accordance with any one of claims1 to 7, further comprising: acquisition means of acquiring informationon recorded programs, information on programs scheduled to be recordedor information on programs scheduled to be watched, wherein said controlmeans displays only the EPG data of programs regarding said informationacquired by said acquisition means.
 9. An EPG display method comprising:a storage step of storing three-dimensional EPG data obtained by mappingall or part of two-dimensional EPG data on a surface of an object havinga predetermined shape in a virtual three-dimensional space, and acontrol step of displaying all or part of said three-dimensional EPGdata stored at said storage step on a two-dimensional screen, whereinthe surface of said object includes a visually recognizable front faceand a rear face covered by said front face, and when said EPG data isdisplayed at said control step by using the shape of said object,clearance regions are included beforehand in said EPG data to bedisplayed at least at the position corresponding to said front face sothat at least part of said EPG data to be displayed at a positioncorresponding to said rear face is visually recognizable.
 10. A programof causing a computer to function all or part of said storage means andsaid control means of said EPG display apparatus in accordance with anyone of claims 1 to
 8. 11. A program of causing a computer to carry outall or part of said storage step and said control step of said EPGdisplay method in accordance with claim
 9. 12. A medium holding saidprogram in accordance with claim 10 and being processable by a computer.13. A medium holding said program in accordance with claim 11 and beingprocessable by a computer.